Telephone desk set



G. E. PERREAULT TELEPHONE DESK SET Nov. 10', 1931.

Filed April 3, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l '/NVENTOR G. E. PERREAULT ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 10, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT/OFFICE GEORGE PERREAULT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO BELL TELEPHONE L ABORA- TORI'ES, INCORPORATED, OF NEW YORK N. Y A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK TELEPHONE DESK sn'r Application filed. April 3,

This invention relates to telephone desk sets and more particularly to desk sets em ploying a hand telephone.

An object of this invention is to so support a hand telephone on a telephone mounting that it may be utilized as a communication device regardless of whether it is or is not removed from such mounting.

Another object of this invention is to construct a handtelephone which is capable of use either by adjustment in position on a stable mounting, so that the hands of a user are free for other purposes while he is carrying on a conversation, or by being held in the hand of the user, the hand telephone being so dimensioned and shapedthat the transmitting and receiving devices comprising the hand telephone are either case in proper position with reference to the mouth zo'and ear l'QSPBCtlVGlY of the user.

A further object is to support such a hand telephone in a cradle portion which will permit the hand set to be adjusted in position for use by the subscriber and to be maintained in adjusted position. i

One feature of this invention resides in supporting means for a hand telephone whi h comprises a cradle having a plurality of relatively movable members between which said telephone isadapted tobe grippedv or clamped.

Anotherfeature of the invention resides in the means for controlling the operation of switching mechanism for placing the hand 36 telephone in or out of a talking circuit, said means comprising a switching member coo 'ierating with an inclined portion, ridge or 1931. Serial No. 527,383.

mounting comprising base, standard and cradle p0rtions,.'the cradle portion comprising a plurality of spaced members between which a portion of the hand telephone is adapted to be placed and clamped, one at least of which members is movable relative to another andis controlled by a resilient member.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention takes the form of a hand telephoneor hand set supported between the jaws of a pair of spaced clamping members atthe upperextremity of a standard supportedfrom a base member, preferably of considerable mass, the clamping members, standard and base comprising a desk stand. The standard encloses switching mechanism controlled by a pm or plunger projecting upwardly between the clamping members. The hand telephone comprises a receiving and a transmitting device at opposite extremities of a common support or handle, the common support consisting of angularly disposed portions of different lengths, the shorter of which is adapted to be placed between the clamping members and is provided with an inclined portion, preferably in the form of a groove, into which the switching pin or plunger extends in that portion between the clamping members. This groove is so shaped that when the telephone is turned or rotated such that the transmitter and receiver are proper ly positioned with reference to the mouth and ear, respectively, of a user, the switching pin will move so asto close a talking circuit for the telephone. The clamping members provide sufliciently strong gripping action on the hand telephone common support such that the latter can be turned from a vertical to any other position and remain in its changed position without the aid of the user. The arrangement is such also that, if the user desires to hold the hand set in his hand while carrying on a conversation, he may remove it from between the aforementioned members.

A more complete understanding of this in vention will be obtained from the detailed description which follows and by reference to the appended drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the telephone desk set comprising this invention when the hand telephone is in inoperative or normal position;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the telephone desk set of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of thecradle portion of the desk set of this invention along the line 33 of Fig. 2 with the hand telephone removed;

Fig. 4 is a view along the line 4-4- of Fig. 1 of a fragment of the desk set of this invention and shows details of the switching mechanism of the desk set when the handtelephone is in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2; V Fig. 5 is a view along the line 44 of Fig. l and shows detailsof the switching mechanism of this desk set when the hand telephone has been adjusted to a talking position;

Fig. 6 is an explodedview of the clamping members comprising the cradle portion of the desk set mounting forming a feature of this invention;

Fig. 7 is a view along the line 77 of Fig. 5 partially in section;

Fig. 8 is a view along the line 8-8 of Fig. 4: partially in section and partially broken away to show the switching mechanism details of the hand telephone comprising a. feature of this invention; and

Fig. 9 is an elevational view of the tele phone desk set comprising this invention when in adjusted position for the carrying on of a telephone conversation.

Referring now to the drawings, there is disclosed a hand telephone 1 supported in the cradle portion 2 of a telephone desk set mounting 3. The hand set comprises a handle 4 for a transmitting-device or transmitter 5 anda receiving device or receiver 6. The handle consists of angularly disposed portions 7 and 8 of different lengths, the portion 8 being the shorter and preferably circular in section and having the transmitter attached thereto, and the portion 7 being the longer and having the receiver attached thereto. The portion 7 is so shaped as to be readily grasped and firmly held by the hand of a user and the portion 8 is adapted to. be supported in the cradle portion 2 of the mounting and while the hand set is in either its inoperative or normal position. as shown in Fig. 1, or in its operative position. as shown in Fig. 9. is maintained substantiall horizontal. The handle is formed. preferably, as a unitary structure of insulating material. for instance. of a phenol condensation product, and is dimensioned so that the trans mitter and receiver are positioned properly with reference to the mouth anl ear, respectively, of a user thereof regardless of whether the hand set is utilized by being held in the hand of the user or by beingadjusted in position on the desk stand mounting.

The mounting 3 comprises a base portion 9, preferably of considerable mass to provide a stable structure, a preferably hollow, tubular standard or upright 10 carried by the base, and a cradle portion 2 comprising a pair of spaced members 11 and 12 between which the portion 8 of the hand set is supported and clamped.

The member 11 comprises a collar portion 18 having an annular flange portion 14 adapted to be thrust into the open upper extremity of the standard 10 and secured'therein by suitable means, such as a screw. The member 11 comprises also the depending extension 15 which has a horizontally extending portion 18 having an aperture therein through which a switch controlling pin or plunger 17 extends. This pin 17 is encircled for a portion of its length by a helical. spring 18 one extremity of which passesthrongh said pin and the other extremity of which is supported on the extension 16. One extremity of the plun er is adjacent switching mechanism 19 (shown schematically) and the other extremity projects upwardly through a drilling 20 in the member 11 into the space between the cradle clamping members 11 and 12. The inner surface 21 of the portion 22 of the member 11'is of a contour such that the portion 8 of the hand set fits snu l thereagainst. The member 1]. maybe cast orformed as a unitary structure and such that extensions 23. 23 are provided. which are drilled preferably to receive a shaft or rod 24: extending between such extensions. The uppermost portion 25 of the member 11 extends preferably slightly inwardly.

The member 12, which is preferably formed as'a unitary structure, is positioned in the opening 26 in the collar portion 13 of member 11 and is supported therein by the rod 24 which extends through'the drilled extensions 23, of member 11. and the drilling 27 in the portion 28 of member 12. It is seen. therefore. that the rod 241-. acts as a shaft or axis upon which the member 12 may turn relative to the member 11 which is tationary. Cradle member 12 is provided with a depending extension 29, preferably of the same length as the extension 15 and oppositely positioned with reference thereto. Between the lower extremities of extensions 15 and 29 is a resilient. member or spring 30 whose extremities encircle the anchor members 31. The spring 30 is adjusted so that it tends normally to separate the extensions 15 and 29 farther apart and hence to cause the upper portion of the member 12 to turn on the rod 24 towards the upper portion of the cradle member 11. The inner surface 32 of the portion 33 of member 12 is likewise of a contour such that the curved surface of portion 8 of the hand set his snug- 1y thereagainst. The portion 28 has a slot in that portion extending under the memher 11 so as'to provide space forthe switch con-trolling pin: or-plunger 17.

When the hand set is supported in the cradle, the members 11 and 12 are thrust apart against the action of the resilient memsures that the hand set will not be readily dislodged from the cradle because of shocks or jars to. the desk set.

The portion 8 of the hand set is provided with an inclined portion, depression or groove 36,. as shown in Fig. 8 and preferably of the contour indicated by the dotted lines in Figs. 4: and 5. i This groove cooperates with thepin or plunger 17 to maintain the switching mechanism ina closed or open electrical condition. When the hand set is in the position shown in Fig. 1 the upper extremity ofthe, plunger 17 is, asshown in Fig. 4;, in contact with the por tion 8 at a point slightly removed from the groove, which is indicated'by a dotted line in Fig. 4, and the plunger extends downwardly against the-restoring force of the spring 18 to maintain the switching mechanism in; aneopen electrical condition. When it is desired to carry ona conversation and yet have the free use of both hands, the hand set is rotated either backward or forward from the position shown in. Fig- 1 to that shown in Fig.9. By such rotation, the plunger 17 will be caused to rise in; the grooveor depression 36 under the restoring action of the spring 18 and. the switching mechanism 19 will have assumed an electrically closed condition as is shown clearly in Fig; 5. By proper location ofgroove 36. and by properly contouringit,

the switching mechanism will be electrically closed when the receiver and transmitter are in the desired position relative to the ear and moutlnrespectively, of the user to enable a spring 18 and the switching mechanism 19' will be closed} To insure that the hand set will be properly replaced in the mounting after use, so that the inclined portion 36 will be in alignment with the plunger or pin 17,

the portion 8 of the hand set is provided preferably with the collar portions 37.

While the features of this invention have been disclosed with reference to'aspecific embodiment only, it is, of course, understood that various modifications may be made in the details of construction without departing from the scope of this invention as-defined in' the appended claims.

What is claimed is: r

1. A mountingfora hand telephone comprising a base, a standard, and spaced members carried by said standard for gripping said. hand telephone, one of said members being movable relative to'another thereof.

2; A mounting fora hand telephone com- )rising a base, a. standard, spaced members carried by sitesides of said hand telephone, switching me:;hanism, and a switch controlling member 1 extending into thespace between said spaced members, one of said spaced inembersbeing movable rel'ativeto another thereof.

3. A: mounting for a hand'telephone comprisinga base, a standard, spaced members carried by said standard,'one of said members being movable relative to another thereof, said standard-having a hollowed portion, ea-ch of said spaced member-shaving an extension projecting into said standard, and a resilient member positioned between the ex tremities of said extensions for holding said extensions in spaced relationship.

4. A n'iounting-for hand telephonecomprising a base, a standard, spaced members carried by said standard, one of said members being movable relative to. another thereof, said standard having a hollowed portion, each of said spaced membershaving an eX- tension projecting into said standard, the extremities of said extensions being spaced apart by a resilient member, switching mech anism in said standard, and means controlling said mechanismancbextending into the space between said spaced members.

- 5. A mounting for a hand telephone comprising a base, a standard, and. spaced: members carried by said standard, one of said members being movable relative to another thereof, such standard having a hollowed portion, each of said spaced members having an extension projecting into said standard, a spring member for holding the extremities of said extensions spaced apart, switching mechanism in said standard, and meanscon trolling said mezha-nism and extending into the space between said spaced members, said means comprising an elongated member encircled for a portion of its length by a restoring member.

6. A mounting for a hand telephone com-' prising a base, a standard, relatively moveble spaced members providing a receptacle for a portion only of said telephone, said telephonehaving a groove in that portion, switching: mechanism within said. mounting, and; a member cooperating with said groove to control said switching mechanism.

said standard for gripping'oppo- 7 A mounting for a hand telephone comprising a supporting structure, spaced members carried by said structure and providing a receptacle for said telephone, one of I said members being movable relative to another thereof, and means to control the extent of movement thereof, the telephone being clamped between said spaced members.

' 8. A mounting for a hand telephone comprising a supporting structure, spaced clamping members carried by said structure, one f said members being movable relative to another thereof, switching mechanism within said support, and means for controlling said switching mechanism, said means extending into the space between said spaced members.

9. A mounting for a telephone hand set comprising a supporting structure including switching mechanism, a switch controlling member extending from said structure, and spaced members carried by said structure for the reception of the telephone hand set, the hand set comprising a transmitter, re ceiver and a common support therefor, said members providing a seat for a small portion only of said common support, said hand set portion having an inclined portion for controlling the position of said switch controlling member.

10. A telephone hand set comprising a common supporting member for carrying a telephone device at each extremity thereof, said member comprising two angularly disposed portions of diiferent lengths, the longer portion serving as a handle, a support for said hand set, switching mechanism in said support, and a member for controlling said mechanism, said shor. er portion of said hand set having an inclined portion cooperating with said member to control said mechanism.

11. A telephone hand set comprising a common supportingmember for carrying a telephone device at each extremity thereof, said member comprising angularly disposed portions of different length, and a support for said hand set comprising a pair of spaced clamping members between which the shorter portion of said hand set common supporting member is grasped.

12. A telephone hand set having ahandle consisting of angularly disposed portions of difi'erent lengths, and a support for said hand set comprising spaced clamping members between which the shorter portion of said hand set handle is grasped, said mounting enclosing switching mechanism, and means for controlling said switching mechanism,- which means extends into the space between said spaced members and'with which said shorter portion of the handle cooperates to control the switching mechanism.

13. A telephone desk set comprising a hand set and having a handle with angularly disposed portions, and a mounting for said hand set comprising a supporting structure, spaced clamping members carried thereby and switching mechanism therein, the spaced members providing a receptacle for one portion of said common supporting member, the position of which in said receptacle controls the switching mechanism.

14:. A desk stand telephone comprising mounting including a supporting structure, spaced clamping members carried by said structure, one of saidmembers being movable relative to another thereof, a hand telephone clamped between said members, said hand telephone having an inclined portion in that portion thereof between said members, switching mechanism within the support, and means for controlling said switching mechanism, said means extending into the space between said spaced members and cooperating with the inclined portion of the hand telephone. I g l 15. A telephone desk set comprising a base, a standard, a hand set cradle,a hand set to be supported in said cradle, said cradle comprising a pair of spaced members relatively movable to hold the hand set clamped therebetween. p

1.6. A telephone desk set comprising a base, a standard, a hand set cradle, and a handset to be supported therein, said hand set comprising a receiver and a transmitter, said cradle comprising a pair of spaced members relatively movable to hold the hand set clamped therebetween, said hand set being adjustable in'position in said cradle, the receiver and the transmitter thereof being positionable against the ear and the mouth, respectively, of a user of the hand set without removing it from the cradle. 17. A mounting fora telephone hand set comprising a base, a standard carried thereby, switching mechanism therein, a switch controlling member extending from said standard, and a pair of spaced members supported by said standard for the reception of atelephone hand set,; said spacedmembers clamping a portion ofthe hand set therebetween and in contact with said switch con-. trolling member. I I

18. A desk standtelephone comprising a mounting, having a cradle portion comprising spaced clamping members for a hand set, and a hand set comprising a plurality oftelephone devices and a common support therefor having a plurality of angularly disposed portions of different lengths, the shorter portion for engagement with said cradle and the longer portion as a handle portion to be grasped by the user of said hand set.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name, this 31st day. of March, 1931.

GEORGE E. PERREAULT. 

